ndirish1978

I take issue with this. I saw every single game Floyd played (look at my avatar, big surprise) and he is a game-changer. He was absolutely dominant in the redzone and he ran even faster than I thought he would. I wouldn't hesitate to pull the trigger on him at 10. I liked Reiff a lot, but even Chavous, in my opinion the best draft pundit out there, speculated on PFT live yesterday he is more likely going to be shifted to the right side like Bulaga. IF that's the case Kalil is the only top 10 OT.

WHY would you franchise him and give him tons of money for being adequate at best? Hairston has a lot more upside at this pint simply because he can stay on the field.

Cool, thanks guys. I thought I may be reading too much into his statements. Appreciate the comments.

I'm probably reading too much into his statement, but I got the impression Pass rushers are what he was referring to when he talks about being aggressive in free agency. "We're gonna go after guys that can help us...it MAY NOT BE receivers.. we got guys who can help him [sJ13]. It doesn't mean we won't sign a receiver, it doesn't mean we won't draft one." While may not is definitely we WILL NOT, it sounds like Nix letting us know that he would pick up a mid-tier receiver, but we're probably no longer in the running for V Jackson, Manningham, Colston, Garcon or Bowe. I dunno, am I just inferring meaning that wasn't there?

I was under the impression that Merriman is getting like 3 million guaranteed, so cutting him would only really save us $2m. That said, I think we should stick a fork in him. I believe Merriman is getting 3M guaranteed, so cutting him would save us only like 2M. That said, I think he's done and we should stick a fork in him. Nonetheless, I think his role is simplified at DE, so if he ever had a shot at getting his act together, it should be at DE.

Evidently his wife did it for him according to twitter

I found this little chart really useful. I should note that it does not appear to have McGee's re-structured number on it. http://cdn3.sbnation.com/imported_assets/1004013/BILLS-4-32.jpg

So pumped

Cool, thanks bud

I see a lot of people giving what I believe are incorrect analyses of our cap situation. Can someone let me know if I'm wrong as well? Before signing SJ we had 104.7 million in salary cap commitments Estimated cap this year is $120,400,000 We carried over unused space from last year ($19,293,018?) So we have @$34,593,00 and change to spend this year? SJ13 signed for $36.25 million that includes $19.5 million gtd and over $24 million in deal's first three years. If I estimate high and say he counts for $7.5M against the cap, that leaves us with $27,093,000 and change to spend this year? How much is reserved for rookies? Just trying to see what we may have $ wise so I can anticipate who we have $ to go after in free agency. Thank guys.

It's part of a marketing promo Tweet #HESBACKSJ13 to @buffalobills for a chance to win a signed mini-helmet

Fitz will be a top 8 QB next year.

I really wish there was a world burner at DE this year that we could all root for to fall to us. Upshaw is a tweener. He really isn't the best fit for our system. I am leery of taking DEs who rely on one move to get to the QB. He looked terrible at the combine. I have doubts about his worth as a top 10 DE, he seems to be a better fit as a situational pass rusher out of the 3-4. I don't put as much stock in the knocks on Coples. To me it just looked like he was playing not to get injured as he knew he'd be a high draft pick anyway. I can't say I fault him there. Anyone remember what happened to Mack from the Program? I'd venture to say Coples is the only DE worth taking at 10, except perhaps Ingram. He has the measurables and the size Buddy wants at the position. I'd rather take Floyd at 10 considering the lack of a compelling option at 10. I'm not that crazy about the OTs likely to be available at 10. It all comes out to how you read the board laterally.

I'm surprised people are so outraged at this. This has been going on around the league for years. If you don't think half the teams in the league don't have player funded "bonuses" maybe not for injuries, but for knocking someone out of the game, I think you're naive. Head hunting has been going on since forever.

Oh no, my hypocrisy has been pointed out! I WAS being serious when I asked the question though. I don't agree with the premise of the thread, but I'm bored and felt like getting some insight. I just wonder why the scenario is something to bring up? I'd rather be talking about players we could pick up realistically. I mean do you think really there is a snowball's chance in hell this happens? Cause if you do, then I'm just not reading the things you guys are reading and I'd like to know what I missed.

Honestly, it's probably because we are an afterthought to the national media and they don't bother looking at our roster, listening to the things coming out of the GMs mouth and they simply don't care. I like Nick Perry a lot too, but I still think we go DL somewhere in the 2-4 rds. Why draft a WR? We don't have a decent #2 and the better FAs don't want to come to Buffalo. Listen, we all get upset when people make fun of the town and I love Buffalo, but why would someone go to Buffalo over Miami, NYC, or a larger mid-major city? The only option is to pay them more than anyone else and this FO is not going to do that. The only way to get top-level players on the Bills is to draft them and hope they fall in love with the city enough to re-sign. Here's my Buffalo analogy: Buffalo is not the hot blonde that everyone in the room's eyes go to when she walks in. Buffalo is the decent-looking girl with a great personality who loves beer and sports and who you fall for after you spend more than 10 minutes talking to her. Problem is, free agency is more of a nightclub experience than a decent pub. Most players don't take the time to get to know the city unless they've got no chance with the hot blonde. One thing is for sure though, talking crap about our players and running them out of town a la Marshawn Lynch does not make this a more attractive city to play in.

I know this is a message board and people express off the wall opinions. That said, I struggle to comprehend why people bother to take positions that have little or no relevance to what will actually happen in the real world. Does anyone think we are actually going to cut a player we just signed to an extension and who has received support from the FO and HC ad nauseum? Then, we argue over this proposition for 9 pages of posts, I really don't get it. I understand talking about even outlandish ideas, like signing Mathis (which I would love), which won't happen because we simply don't attract top-tier FAs. But why spend time discussing something that has less than zero chance at actually happening? How would this signing not set us back another 2-3 years? We'd have to give up at least two 1st rd draft picks and 2 more high picks as well. Fitz isn't great, but he's decent enough. We have ZERO pass rush, need 1 lb, 2 DEs, LT, WR2, another good CB. We can't and don't sign top level FAs, so how are we going to fill all those holes if we give up what is going to require at least 4 of our top picks over the next 2 years.

I've got a signature bet for you that says he gets drafted by the end of the 3rd rd.

This thread makes little sense. Of course there are players worth paying #10 money to. The OP simply assumes the team will go with what he perceives to be a position of need (OT, DE) rather than listening to what has already been said by the front office and allow for possible FA signings. 1- Nix said he likes the depth of the DL in this draft. He said there are many good DE's worth a pick in the 2-4 rds, but that may not get people "too excited." That does NOT mean that if they are really excited about a specific DE in the 1st and he's there, that we won't take him, but it sounded to me like they were assuming the guy they like would be gone by them. 2- Nix said he is looking to add 2 DEs, at least 1 CB, 1 WR, 1-2 OTs this offseason at a minimum. We all all but assured to get a top 2 CB or WR at #10 and #2 or 3 OT will likely be available. They will draft the highest rated player. 3- At this point in time you have to look at the draft board laterally as well as vertically. You can't take a player who you have rated #16 in the 1st because he's at a need position if you still have a top 10 guy left when you pick. There are about 4 players I would be happy with at 10 who are not DEs or OTs. I think drafting on a needs-based approach is what made our team terrible in the first place.

Very cool, thanks.

All the discussion on the board has centered around pas rushing DEs in the draft. I understand they are the ones who are expected to bring pressure in a 4-3, but I'm wondering about a Denver-esque utilization of an OLB. I'm thinking Perry, Upshaw, Cam Johnson and Irvin? Am I off base?

I believe Stevie could develop to be a solid #1, but at present you're correct, he plays more like a very solid #2. I would be happy with Blackmon or Floyd at 10 (Blackmon much more so obviously). Reiff has the same problems Bulaga had- short arms. Considering I don't see a DE who is a clear-cut value at 10 playing DE in 4-3 (most of these guys are tweeners) and Kalil will be gone when we draft, I could very well see us going WR or CB at 10 and then picking up a DE/T in rds 2-3 where there is more value.

He's reportedly asking for LESS money than it would cost to franchise him. I don't understand why the deal isn't done.

Don't rule out CB. I would be less than happy, but we'd stand to get a top 2 CB at 10 and that may be the highest rated player on their board.

This article is about 5 years too late. "Lockdown" corners are not a requirement. Teams have shown that schemes and pressuring the QB obviate the need for shutdown cbs.